I lay a hand on his shoulder and grin. “The ball is at the end of the week. It will take us a day on horseback to the border. After crossing, it’s another half-day’s ride to Castle Grager. We will stay on our side of the border for part of the night before crossing and entering Selen, so we leave the night after next. Pack your finest court clothes.”
Mikal looks skyward and groans. “Anything but that. Askanythingof me, please, not the court clothes. Those tunics and trousers are sodamnitchy.”
At least they hate the political theatrics as much as I do.
“It’s only for a day or so, Mikal. I’m sure you can handle it,” Corren says while ruffling Mikal’s hair, amusement shining in his amber-colored eyes as he strolls toward the weapons rack.Mikal huffs and follows him, muttering more complaints under his breath.
Liam slaps my shoulder as he heads to the center of the room. “All right, Isiah. Since you interrupted our sparring, you and me on the mats. No magic.”
Shit. While I can hold my own against Liam when we use magic in a straight sparring match, he has fifty pounds and five inches on me. His reach alone keeps me back several paces, making landing any punches nearly impossible.
I accept his invitation, knowing I’ll likely get my ass handed to me. I want them with me in Selen because they are my friends, yes, and because they truly are the best soldiers the Legion has.
A grin spreads across my face as I head onto the mats behind him.
CHAPTER 4
GRACE
T
wisting in the gilded mirror, I watch my gown’s silk layers rustle across my bedroom floor.
“That dress is stunning on you, my lady,” the youthful fae servant, Delphina, remarks as she smooths my skirt. Her curly black hair bounces as she stands, and her hazel eyes shine with natural cheer. I can’t help but smile back at her. She’s someone I would befriend at home.
“Aye, the turquoise dress perfectly matches your blue and green eyes. The king will be pleased when he sees you at dinner tonight,” the older fae servant, Serafin, says. She has the same rich brown skin and curly hair as Delphina, but none of her contagious joy.
My cheeks heat with their compliments. “Thank you, ladies, for helping me get ready. I truly appreciate it.” They glance at each other warily, and my eyebrows furrow. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No, my lady. Just be mindful when thanking the fae. Some may take it as owing a debt. But as you are from the outside, we wouldn’t expect you to know that,” Serafin says as she clasps my necklace for me.
“Oh, well, that’s good. Thank—” I fumble mid-sentence, and her gaze snaps to mine in the mirror’s reflection with a pinched expression.
Delphina rolls her eyes at Serafin and grabs a brush before guiding me to a chair in front of the fireplace. “Your hair is the loveliest shade of red,” she says as she combs through the strands, and it cascades smoothly with none of its usual tangled resistance. “You’re the comeliest human I’ve seen in a long time. There must be a lucky male back home missing you very much.”
“You’re too kind. And as much as I wish that were the case, no one is waiting for me back home. Not like that, at least.”
She stops combing and looks at me. “Well, more’s the pity for them. I hope I’m not speaking too boldly, but I believe the king’s eye may have noticed your beauty.”
“Delphina! You speak too boldly!” Serafin glares at Delphina, who now stares at her feet. “Apologies, my lady. She has forgotten her manners.”
“It’s all right. I prefer when people speak their minds.”
Not that I believe what Delphina says is correct, but it’s entertaining to think the king would see anything in a human, let alone me.
Delphina finishes braiding my hair, adds rouge to my cheeks and kohl to my eyes before stepping away with a pleased expression. I stand and pad to the mirror and gape at my reflection. Never in my life have I felt so beautiful. The hair, makeup, and dress are a dream, and I say as much.
“You look radiant, my lady. We’ll be off now. Another servant will come when the king is ready for you.” Serafin gives a slight bow before turning to leave. Delphina, cowed by Serafin’s earlier admonishment, says nothing as she curtseys and departs.
The door clicks shut behind them, and I’m left staring at my reflection. Maybe Delphina wasn’t wrong. I’ve never deemed myself a beauty, but the woman in the mirror is almost unfamiliar after the magic they worked. Perhaps they performed literal magic. Anything is possible with the fae, I suppose.
Not long after they leave, another servant knocks at the door, letting me know the king is ready. I follow the servant down the hall, wringing my hands the entire way. It’s been three days since I entered the castle as a prisoner, and now I’m to dine with the king. It is an odd turn of events that leaves me uneasy, yet excited. But I can’t get swept up in the finery and fantasy. I need to figure out when the next crossing will appear and make plans to get home.
When I enter the dining hall, the king sits at the head of a massive wooden table with at least two dozen seats on either side. He wears an amethyst tunic with gold embroidery and black trousers. But his crown is nowhere in sight.
His stare weighs on me as I walk the length of the table toward the only other place setting, beside him. Several servants stand along the walls, and as I reach my chair, the nearest one moves to pull it out for me but freezes mid-step as the king stands. Unhurried, the king pulls the chair out for me, and with a shy smile, I take my seat.
Once he sits, he looks at me but says nothing. Servants place small plates of food in front of us and fill water and wineglasses before leaving the room. A moment passes, and he is still silent, still watching me.